Disclaimer: Sometimes I'd like to pretend I own them. Well, the only reason this thing's up anyway is because it adds up on the word count.
Rating: You decide. Kiddies skip hence. I have forsworn uhm… shounen-ai (not really). It's overall shounen ai, this half-chapter's an exception. Mentions of sex, etc.. Don't get any funny ideas. No lemons… the ffnet management might kick me out.
Warnings: Mild language, shounen ai and shoujo ai with yaoi and yuri leanings.! So much for being reader friendly! Also… Angsty!Heero, Angsty!Duo,& Angsty!Dorothy! There ya go! They're all…. Angsty… because today I am.
Pairings Mentioned: 1x2, 13x5 & d/r.
I like Dorothy to wear black… Kinky? She needs lessons on being cool too—at least in society's stereotyping norms perspectives anyway. I guess the title works for her and Duo, don't you think?
According to The New College Edition American Heritage Dictionary Of The English Language:
Jumper (jŭmper) n. A garment consisting of straight-legged pants attached to a biblike bodice.
I can't really eloquently described a jumper because I'm not a literate nor can I draw you Duo wearing one and link you to that particular picture because I only am capable of drawing stick people but if it's any help, a farmer wears jumpers… most of the time anyway.
If anybody wants to draw me something though, *hint,hint*then that's brilliant too.
Also, the second chapter's about Duo leaving town because he had been very much embarrassed at school. He plans futilely to leave Darlington and be a soldier, (thus Uncle Sam) of some sort or perhaps something else but he almost gets run over by Heero's car and the two fight after which they make out frantically till the other passes out into momentary oblivion.
Darla Moscete-te: Yes, Trowa will Kick Heero's ass later on.
And LB: You're one person I can relate to most of the time. Thanks a bunch for reviewing constantly. It's wonderful to have reviewers like you.
Teach Me How To Be CoolLesson#10: We Raised Sheep In Our Farm Pt. 2
[Heero]
I watched in silence as Maxwell followed his mother to their family car. His braid moved with the wind as he whipped his head to spare me a meaningful glance. The edges of my lips curled upwards voluntarily and I held up my hand in a little wave.
"Love you." He mouthed, smiling a little before turning away and getting into the car.
I clenched my teeth and forced myself to nod.
The atmosphere was warm that night but rain nonetheless threatened to pour for the second time around.
Waves of dark clouds splashed into the night sky and obscured the silver moon as Trowa gave me a strange look before elbowing me in the stomach.
I think he was telling me not to be too enamored with Maxwell.
I convinced nearly everybody I *liked* him. And it's good. Because Relena will be in such a tiff when word goes around the whole town Maxwell and I are an *item*, her being the lovesick puppy everybody perceived me once as.
Of course it's predictable that Relena will be in a jealous rage enough to hurt both, or either Maxwell or I, and then more or less if I'm not careful I'd end up with her again, but that's besides the point.
I know I don't want to be with a facsimile of Barbie without enough wits to read the ingredients of a soup can, forever.
I just want to play fair.
It's her game after all.
I glared at Trowa and rubbed the sore spot of my stomach in which he'd just dug his elbow into, before we walked towards my car.
The police officers have conveniently parked it somewhere near their patrol cars, as if this little pathetic town needed law enforcers anyway.
Scarcely anybody broke the laws either because they were too simple minded or just too dim to commit anything that would cause them to be behind bars around donut-eating obese men in strange navy blue uniforms and fake golden badges.
The people in Darlington were idiots. Me of course, being the only exception. And maybe even Trowa?
I can't wait till graduation day when I'll escape this lunatic place.
"You should be grateful, Heero." Trowa began, snapping me out of my rare musings. I blinked warily at him, making sure that it was the real, authentic Trowa Barton speaking and not just my imagination running high again. "I walked all the way to the precinct just to get you out of jail."
I shot him a withering look, convinced now than ever before that he was indeed Trowa Barton.
"Fine." Trowa said, folding his arms. "If you want to know, I got a ride from Quatre. But I had to walk one street to get here because Quatre's chauffer thought it would attract too much attention if I stopped right in front of the precinct."
I chuckled and shook my head. Winner and Trowa are inseparable now. Sometimes I envy how some people manage to find happiness, whereas I lie sulking around because this little town is too dull for me.
But I had Maxwell for the time being anyway. And that's enough for me.
Strangely, I felt lightheaded and uncaring at the thought of Maxwell. Somehow it's silly how just thinking, hearing or feeling his presence heightens my senses. Every fibre of my body is sensitive whenever he was around.
And at occurrences when we'd wind up closer than expected in claustrophobic proximities, my body reacts maniacally.
I would be a hypocrite if I said I wasn't disappointed when the police officer who'd found us ruined our *moment* together. So close.
Almost.
But now that's over and there's no use crying over spilled milk. I was given my chance and I blew it—or I'd like to think. Fuck the police in this town.
Well, if it's any consolation, at least I'm not behind bars anymore.
The world, at least not those people who are in state prison, is free and so was I.
The next thing I might end up doing might as well have me singing The Sound Of Music at the top of my lungs. Freedom and all that crap.
Maxwell's humor is getting contagious.
Maxwell…
Kuso… Now I'm thinking about him… *again*.
But the thought of Relena still persisted.
I swore I saw her behind Maxwell. And it was her *pink*car that followed us. But why do I still worry? It's not like she could no anything harmful to us. Or Maxwell.
Actually, her rage is of catastrophic proportions.
Once when I'd been around Trowa's sister Catharine in a certain school dance when Relena had the flu, she didn't speak to me for a week and the cars of my tires had been stabbed flat by some hooded men that night so I had to hitch a ride from a local truck driver who kept telling me odd stories about his life in Vietnam.
I think it's Relena's *subtle* way of saying: Take another girl to the dance, and you'll be dead Yuy.
And that's not all she's done to me. Why I tolerated her, I'm not sure. I hardly had the time to care because I never really liked her and all I needed from her was the 'prestige' of having a girlfriend.
She was the only eligible one that didn't do any *OBVIOUS* stalking.
But I have to admit—I detest her.
She was like a fucking leech. She kept on holding my hand, literally throwing herself at me—not forgetting her breasts at my face— and whined relentlessly about a newly sprouting pimple, her hair, clothes, looks and legs.
Well, she cannot possibly cause any harm towards me anymore but Maxwell may as well be her sole target.
And I can't afford Maxwell to get hurt. For some reason, if he does end up with so much as a bruise caused by Relena, I will kill that bitch.
Not caring whether she's a girl or a member of one of the two most influential families in this town.
Because what's mine, is mine.
Kuso.
What did I say again?
"I'm driving, Heero." Trowa informed me, taking the car key out of my hand and slamming it into the keyhole. My lack of concentration caused me bleakness of spirit.
I tried not to think too much and fixed my glare at him.
"Otherwise we might end up back here and there would be nobody to get us out." He continued.
I glared once more at Trowa when he started the car and slipped into the passenger seat but then decided to forget all about it and sighed.
The hood had been up.
"Heero."
I turned to him. "What."
"Why on earth were you in jail?" The engine was heating up but I could hear him nonetheless.
I knew it was bound to happen. The very inevitable question.
I don't really understand the bizarre ways of the Darlington mind, how or why it works.*Why* was I in jail anyway? I forgot to ask.
For all I know, the police officer said we were engaging in obscene acts and it's past our curfew, which was 10:30 pm.
I'm not very knowledgeable about the law because like I'd said, I didn't have the time to care but it's not a common occurrence that a sixteen-year-old boy like me would get into jail for an inane reason like that.
Then again, you can get apprehended for accidentally dropping a can of coke in a 'no littering' area in this town. Bizarre, don't you think?
"I don't really know." I said suddenly.
"There was a lot of talk about Relena Peacecraft going around in there."
I watched the first splatter of rainwater against the windshield.
"So, it's her again? It's getting quite overbearing."
"You know how money can move mountains, Heero."
I let out a disdainful sound. "She's just jealous."
I folded my arms and leaned against the leather seat, buckling up and putting my seatbelt on. We were in the police station—you know, simple-minded officers.
We had this law of securing yourself in the safety of your seatbelt when you were in the car. Then again it's not as if we had any highways or freeways in this town.
"Jealousy can drive you mad."
And speaking too much, can too, Barton.
"Relena is mad in both senses." I was playing with my lighter that I'd taken out earlier, brandishing it in the darkness.
"So what did you do with Duo in the car anyway?"
I ran a hand through my hair and threw Trowa an exasperated look from the corner of my eye.
"Trowa, if you and Quatre are having sex like crazed maniacs all the time, it doesn't mean everybody should too."
"There's a fine line between sex and making love."
"Hn."
"So, does it mean you and Duo…?" He peered at me through the darkness with his visible eye.
I began to wonder how his hair came to look like that. He was steering with one hand and the car was moving in a snail's pace.
There were no cars this time of the night and the dim lampposts scarcely illuminated the road. There were but a few shops open while the rest of Darlington remained asleep. Pathetic.
"No." I told him, a little to hastily. Then Trowa had this sick, small smile in his face.
"I didn't say it like that. I just asked what you two did. Don't get worked up."
"I'm not."
"Sure."
"The police here are naïve. They'll find anything to get you with."
"True, true. Although the man in the front desk said something about you and Duo engaging in 'obscene' acts."
"Hn."
"Don't be in denial, Heero."
"I'm not in denial." I told him as I held up the lighter and pointed it at him.
Did I mention it resembled a gun? The black painted metal was cold against my palm and I'd just bought it along with Maxwell's clothes.
Since I'm not allowed to buy a real one with bullets to penetrate Trowa Barton's thick head, because there are no available guns in this town, let alone a shop that sells any, I resolved into buying a lighter that looked like one.
Next best thing, you know.
Trowa was composed. "What are you trying to do? Set my hair on fire?" Trowa snorted and I frowned and tucked the 'gun' somewhere.
"You like Duo, don't you Heero." It was a statement, not a question. I could've injured Trowa so bad then, if only he wasn't driving my car. How many times have I'd been asked by this same person?
More than thrice surely.
"I'm using him." I was trying to convince myself.
"Right. Heero, isn't that Duo?"
I snapped my head and peered into the darkness, straining.
"Where?"
If Trowa were pulling my leg, I would've killed him… no burn his hair into cinders.
"So, shall we stop the car?"
"Yes."
"How terribly cute." Trowa smiled thinly. Honestly, he's never like this when Winner wasn't sleeping with him. "You don't want him to stand in the rain all night and catch a cold?"
"Shut up if you value your hair."
"Well you're obviously sour."
"Stop the damn car."
And he did. I could almost imperceptibly see the outline of Duo's body in the dark, silhouetted by the lampposts' lights.
The rain was coming down in torrents and splattering against the tinted windows, the pavement. It was cold.
Duo was shivering and traipsing aimlessly along the sidewalk, hugging himself and sneezing.
What the hell was he doing out of his mother's car? I thought he went home earlier.
"You're using him." Trowa reminded me.
I was silent as I leapt off the car.
The rain showered down like tiny bullets hitting against concrete. Duo's eyes were violet and large—he looked vulnerable, a word not so much closely associated with him since he was chattering loudly nonstop most of the time.
He had rain dripping down the sides of his face, jumper drenched and soaked through.
"Duo?" My voice broke. He looked so kawaii in the rain. Fuck it. Now I'm becoming soft.
"Heero? What are you…?" I didn't let him finish.
"Why aren't you home?" He blinked and then looked down at his shoes for a moment as I walked over to him, pushing a wet lock of hair from my eyes.
As I spoke, I swallowed most of the rain in my mouth. He was reluctant to look at me and I pulled him into a hug. Part of my acting, of course. At least that was what I'd like to think.
But he was wet, and soft and the smell of his hair held a lilac scent that I savored and his lips were on my neck as I held him close. I wanted him so much.
"I had a fight with my mother. About you." I looked away guiltily.
"Do you want to stay overnight?" I found myself saying.
He nodded and looked at me sorrowfully, trying to smile. "Yeah."
He hugged me tighter with bruising force as if I were life-support and letting go of me would mean death. I kissed the top of his head and whispered sweet nothings into his hear.
Funnily enough he wasn't sobbing. Just, holding on.
I took his hand and lead him to my car, puddles of collecting rainwater splashing as we ran to Trowa. Why the hell did he stop so far from the curbside anyway?
We sat in the backseat and Duo looked curiously at Trowa. "Bang boy?"
"Bang boy?" I asked. He just grinned and sheepishly buried his face in my shoulder. I smiled softly, allowing myself to be human for just a little while.
"It's bad, Heero." Duo told me almost inaudibly. I think he didn't want Trowa to hear anything about what he's about to say since Barton oh the sarcastic, usually silent best friend of mine had the propensity to eavesdrop every once in awhile.
"My dad wants us to leave Darlington and he's really bent on making me pursue this pastor training somewhere out of the country."
"Oh." I said dully.
"I don't think I could ever leave Darlington, or my house. And I'm fucking sick of my father trying to run my life.
"I mean I don't even have a life of my own anymore! He's always telling me to do things I don't like to! Ever since I was a kid, he tried to mold me into his spitting image, never, something someone I'm happy with, he tries to steal it away because he can't afford to see me lead my own life."
I stared at him, aghast but now trying to show it. It was all because of me. Me and my selfish ass.
But his voice bore no reproach—he wasn't blaming me. And I felt guilt. Guilt because I was using him, faking, pretending.
I never felt human before. Yet now it's as if I do.
I sighed and pulled him closer, kissing the top of his soaked head and ignoring the snorts from Trowa. The guy sure knew how to ruin the moment.
We reached my house a few minutes later and the rain had only worsened. Trowa borrowed my convertible, promising to return it the next day.
Duo and I were inside the house and my hands were shaking with trepidation.
He was wet. And the sight of him sitting on the couch with his hair plastered against his face as he untied his braid slowly, clothes clinging to every contour of his body made me slightly… hard.
I was sixteen. You can never blame me but those damned teenage hormones. I wonder why I didn't feel like this exactly when I was still with Relena.
Somehow the sight of too much… pink… made everything less sensuous. It's like being trapped in a low-grade children's movie.
I shook my head and closed the door behind me, walking over to Duo and kneeling in front of him.
"When are you leaving town?"
I hoped against hope it wasn't too soon.
He looked up, surprised. "I… I'm not really sure. I left the car after I yelled at my mom. And, she allowed me to leave without any word. Well, I didn't quite let her say anything in edgewise hehe... I love my mom, Heero. Very much and we haven't fought like this before but my dad's… he's difficult to deal with you know?
"I know my mom doesn't like to leave town like I do, but being the perfect wife that she is, she thinks she should follow my dad's every wish even if it's against her will. And I hate that. Even without my dad's fucking presence, I'm still bound by rules I can't break. Because my mom thinks she's betraying him by allowing me to go out with you, by doing things with you. By being me for a change."
Why on earth was he opening up to me? Why me when it could've been some other boy who would deserve him selflessly. Why me when I knew I could not love him?
If only I weren't too hard on myself.
Duo shivered momentarily before, "I think I need to use your shower." He finally said.
I gulped trying to carelessly tear my eyes off the mental image of him in my shower stall, warm trickles of water sliding down his very exposed, naked body.
There was something wrong going on. And I blame it on the rain and overexposure to the Darlington precinct.
I offered my hand and he took it, smiling wanly at me. "Upstairs." I said as I lead him to the bathroom.
He stood in front of the bathroom door with large, violet kawaii eyes.
"Wow, your bathroom's quite… impressive. Big, really."
"I can show you what else is big," I told him, all the while kicking myself mentally for that. He blinked at me before grinning sheepishly and stepping inside.
Our footsteps echoed. His eyes scanned the large, marble tiled bathroom in silent amazement, mouth hanging open agape and he smiled thinly after surveying the whole place before turning to me.
"Towels are in the cabinet next to the sink." I informed him as he opened the tub faucet and began filling it with water.
"I think I'll use the tub instead." It was as if he was speaking to himself instead of me. His eyes took on a childish glint as he clapped his hands together. "Oh. Heero, I'll be fine. I'll call on you when I need you."
He began taking off his jumper straps, oblivious to me and I wheeled away for a hasty exit, closing the door behind me.
I sank to my knees and leaned against the bathroom door, a small smile absent-mindedly playing across my lips.
For some few minutes I busied myself by checking my email, still not at all leaving the bathroom door otherwise. I could hear vague murmuring and off key singing.
I could only wonder what Duo was doing.
When a miraculous hour had passed without me doing anything rash like ravishing Duo till he screams my name to Boston, impatience began tugging irksomely at me.
I was never impatient.
The singing had stopped and all sounds have ceased as well. Feeling more curious than panicked really, I stood up from my spot and crept into the door slowly, silently.
The door being recently oiled did not creak as I walked over to the tub and watched the serene smile on Duo's face. He was having a bubble bath and his eyes were leisurely shut.
I stared at him for some moments before he spoke and broke the silence, startling me almost.
"Do you love me Heero?"
It wasn't the time for those kind of questions, however I was only silently wishing it would be not rhetorical. It could always be yes or no…. but I wasn't really sure if I'd mean either so instead I said, "I feel for you."
A small frown creased his delicate face and I reached out to caress his cheek.
"Did you love Relena?"
That was easy. "No."
"Is that supposed to make me feel better?"
"If you want it to."
There was bitter smile on his lips as I sat on a stool I pulled towards the tub.
"Why did you kiss me that day in the library?"
I didn't kiss you for a reason. I kissed you randomly.
"Are you hungry?"
"No. Answer me first."
"Get dressed and I'll prepare us dinner." I turned to leave but a slender hand closed on my wrist and pulled me back. I had soapsuds on my arm now. And Duo was… Kami-sama… he was standing… naked. In full glory.
He smelled like peaches now and his arm was slipper against mine.
My eyes wandered down and rested on his thighs before Duo rolled his eyes and tilted my chin up. "You little pervert, don't look there! Look at me! In my beautiful, drop-dead gorgeous violet eyes!"
I gulped, complying. "Why won't you answer me Heero? Why?" His voice was soft and pleading and I remembered the low tone a little braided *girl* used on me while asking why I didn't take her away from 'the evil king' that was her father.
"I have to answer the phone." I told him seriously and he drew away with a tiny splash falling back into the bubbly tub. He looked away from me with a sadness that petrified me.
Why was I being affected so much? Why was I lying so much?
I suppose being a bastard is genetic.
After all my father always lied, rarely telling the truth. I'm always like that.
I blame everything—everyone for my miseries.
As I closed the bathroom door behind me, I jogged downstairs better to get away from Duo as far as possible—away from myself—although I knew it would be futile because we were spending the night together. In a different means of course.
I found myself in the kitchen, taking out leftovers from the fridge. I could faintly hear the rain from the small window to the left of the sink. I turned to the pans, as if they were foreign objects I didn't know the use of.
I usually didn't bother to cook at night because I could get free dinners from Catherine, Trowa's sister, whenever I went over there to do my homework. Cooking was not my area of expertise.
I rely on other lesser beings on my means of survival, kind of like a predator if you know what I mean. I had people to do things willingly for me.
I didn't want to start independence now, although all this time at my parents' absence I had been so a little.
And then I remembered *him* again.
I'd completely forgotten I left *him* without any spare clothes. How unlikely.
Cursing below breath I wheeled around to come face to face with Duo Maxwell.
I gasped inaudibly, taken by surprise before trying to look composed myself. He had a towel—my dark blue towel with my name on it— wrapped around his slender waist.
Beads of water trickled down his chest and his long chestnut hair was dripping wet as well, hung on his side. It made his hair look longer and the supposedly coy smile on his face, seductive.
His fingers were idly scratching at his smooth belly and I got kind of side tracked for a brief second.
"Do you have anything I could wear?"
That did it.
I blinked and nodded dumbly.
***
I was pulling clothes out of my closet and Duo was sitting, still wet, on my bed waiting ever patiently.
I tried not to glance at him too much and finally when I had a shirt that would conveniently accommodate his slender frame, I turned around to give him his privacy after handing him his clothes, rather mine.
"Heero? You don't think I could just walk around your house in a large tee and pajama bottoms without any underwear on do you?"
Kuso.
"What?"
"Underwear!" Duo said gleefully, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "You forgot to give me underwear! Do you have any with race cars or skateboards on them?"
I shook my head dumbly as I walked over to my drawers and scanned the neat folded line of spandex shorts and black briefs.
I tossed him one and he shrugged. "Well, black is good too I guess. Bu it is kind of kin—"
And before he could say anything more, I left him promptly, walking stiffly because of the ache between my legs.
***
Dinner was another affair I wouldn't want to describe as eloquent. Apparently, Duo was not permitted to eat meat—he was a vegetarian. I gave him a piece of carrot to munch on while I drank coffee in the living room.
Also, he told me he didn't feel comfortable with the pajama bottoms I gave him earlier and thus, refused to wear anything but the large shirt I gave him with of course, the briefs.
He walked in an odd fashion, like he had something between his thighs.
When he was done with his carrot, he sat at my feet with the utmost innocent expression while I sipped on my black coffee. We were in the living room and I had folded my legs beneath me.
I had changed into my sleeping attire earlier, all in black. I was surprised Duo didn't tell me anything about the fight with his mother, curious though as I was, it wasn't my place to ask.
"Your house is boring." Duo commented frowning. The rain hadn't stopped and it was getting a tad cold as Duo was rubbing his palms together. I lowered my coffee mug from my lips and turned to him; he was cross-legged and pouting, tugging at the end of newly made braid.
"Do you live here all alone?"
I shrugged and placed the coffee mug on the small center table before answering.
"My parents are away most of the time." I replied. "Business trip."
He nodded and pressed his lips together. "Don't they ever come home? I mean like, on your birthday or Christmas?"
"They scarcely have the time." I didn't know why I bothered telling him.
"But God, Heero! They're your flipping parents! They should find the time to squeeze you in somewhere in their tight schedules."
"Not everybody is like you Maxwell." I muttered darkly. "Compared to you, we don't have perfect parents. Your father is a preacher; my father is a corporate lawyer. See the difference?"
He looked hurt and he looked away from me, bringing his knees up on his chest and placing his chin there. For a moment I thought he was not going to speak to me again and I fixated on the grandfather clock at the corner of the room.
"You think my life is perfect?" He scoffed. "My dad wants me to be a preacher like him. I barely have the freedom to do what I want! But you Heero, if you only knew how much people want to be you… just to live in your shoes for one day and see how it feels… I'd kill for your popularity, your status in school, your freedom without your parents hanging on every thing you do—"
"That's superficial." I said monotonously.
"Maybe, but at least for now I can spare myself the dream. You don't know anything about me, Heero."
By then I was thinking things were getting kind of out of hand. More like a drama soap—the kind Catherine, Trowa's sister would be ogling at every Tuesday night when I'd come over. Duo's back still faced me and I thought of placing my hand on his shoulder but decided against it the last minute.
"So don't you go around and tell me my life is perfect, that I should be grateful to my parents, yada yada… because honestly, you have no idea what it's like to be me."
I wasn't really paying attention because knowing Duo, he had the tendency to say the oddest things not closely associated to the topic he started this *conversation* with. Not that I wasn't interested but hearing him giving me a piece of his mind was too much.
I always saw him as the gullible, dumb type and not too much of a thinker. Don't get me wrong, I'm attracted to him, it's just that… I don't know. It took me long to figure that one out.
Duo was the kind of person you wouldn't like on the spot, because he simply talked too much, chattered about things out of the blue because he felt like it… it irks me but I try not to show it too much.
But he also… grows on you because of his genuine qualities.
My mind was working in shambles when Duo turned to me with his violet eyes. I think he was asking me something and I tried to recall the last thing he'd said but nothing came but a blank resonating nothingness.
I kissed him on the forehead and he pulled away as I placed a hand on his left cheek. I think that wasn't what he'd wanted.
"Duo…" I called out to him when he got up and entered the recreation room. And no, not that kind of recreation if you've a dirty mind.
I followed him shortly and found that he'd gotten hold of the CD player in the corner of the room. He wasn't saying anything and I worried a little for some reason unbeknownst to me.
He smiled shyly at me, a sad, shy smile before raising his arms and doing a little sway. "Dance?"
I walked over to him hesitantly. "What's wrong?" Was all I could ask. He still said nothing as he moved away and scanned my parents' dusty CD collection.
He picked out one shortly and played it. I was never a music lover. Come to think of it, I'd never liked any art form but writing. Writing was my escape patch out of this little dull town Darlington.
An unfamiliar sound filled the air and Duo walked over to me. I could see his bare knees beneath the thin fabric that covered his body. I could see a lot of things too.
"Are you all right?"
He nodded. "I just want to forget."
"Forget what?" I placed my arms around his waist and pulled him close as the rhythm we conjured out of air, began. We were swaying in un-patterned, beautiful circles. It was *our* dance.
"Everything."
"The fight with your mother?"
"Yes."
"Me?"
He kicked me lightly on the foot. "Of course not you baka."
"Baka now, is it?" I said lightly, noting how he's learned fast from me.
"It's got a better ring to it than lap dancer."
"Really?"
"Hmm mmm…"
"Can I ask you something?" My voice was soft.
"Bring it on, honey."
I was reluctant for a moment before I wrapped my arms around him tighter and he snuggled close with his arms draped over my shoulder.
"Why do you always wear jumpers?"
"We raised sheep in our farm in Abbington." I blinked and mulled it over.
"But this is Darlington."
"So? We have a farm out there and it's like the dress code for us Maxwells: Jumpers are like our spandex and tank tops." He winked at me and then giggled. "Of course when you turn 21 you're permitted to wear normal clothes *normal* human beings wear… but when you're below drinking age… hah! It's a no-no for you."
I stared at him disbelievingly. That was… odd. I said nothing and continued my 'dancing pace'. I really didn't know how to dance to be honest.
"Heero, you gullible ass!" He laughed as he doubled over and slapped my shoulder. "Of course not! My dad's a flipping nazi who likes to dictate my life!"
I shook my head and sighed, pulling him to my shoulder so he'd stop this nonsense and be quiet.
"Your father loves you."
"I don't have a father. He's everyone's father—not mine."
"Don't say that." I told him. The reverend may be a very unreasonable, prejudiced –at least to me- person, but to the rest of the Darlington population, he was a saint. A hero.
"Heero?" Duo's voice was strangely quiet.
"Hmn?"
"Do you—" I knew for some reason he was going to ask me that *question* again so I braced myself.
"Of course I do." If it were the truth, I might've died. I wasn't sure though. I was afraid to know the answer myself.
"Love me?" He was grinning softly and I traced the soft line of a smile on his face.
"Yes." I wasn't hesitant this time. Apprehension filled me like helium. I was leading him on with my lies. Lies or truths—they were much the same anyway. Why was he such a truth zealot? Everybody lies. With of course, the exceptions of fools like him.
"Even if I'd really raise sheep in a farm or become a preacher someday?"
"Of course." I couldn't help but smile and he kissed me softly on the mouth. It was a sweet, caring kiss without any worry to weigh me down.
"Do you think I'm weird?"
"Quite." I answered truthfully. It was the least I could do.
"Thanks." I felt him smile against my neck, lips soft on my skin. "You know how much I hate untruthful people. I just gotta find somebody who's not a Goddamn liar you know? Like you."
I was struck by that last part before I decided to murmur something incoherent.
"Yes. Like me."
Duo turned to me with mischievous violet eyes, face lighting up instantly.
"Hey… do you still want to… you know?" He was slipping his hand into the waistband of my pajama bottoms.
My eyes widened. "Wha…" I trailed off before he hopped onto me so that I was carrying him in my arms and his bare legs were wrapped around my middle.
I felt myself grinning for a strange reason as he winked at me.
I carried him upstairs and lay him on my black-canopied bed, drawing the drapes close.
When we kissed, it was magic. His tongue was hot and slick and rubbing tenderly against mine. Arms wound around my neck; he pulled me closer and rubbed our thighs together.
"Fuck." I was so aroused as he bit on my lip and swung his leg around me.
"You do know my dad will be on your neck for life?"
"Why?"
"He's got this thing about fornication…"
"I thought you said we were engaged?"
He grinned and kissed me.
That night, we had sex. Or made love.
Whatever Trowa calls them, they're just the same. But I knew it was done on behalf of emotion and feeling and not just another one-night-stand.
Duo was free and so was I. And he loved me. And I felt for him.
I decided not to worry too much about the future. Right now, I had all I wanted.
[Dorothy]
I hate the rain. I hate it so much. Not as much as I hate Relena though.
But no, I can't really hate her truly because I love her. So much. Or am I just sickly infatuated with her as a schoolgirl?]
I don't know anymore. And I choose not to know.
I dressed up promptly after the kiss incident and left the Peacecraft Manor, ignoring the strange look Milliardo Peacecraft gave me.
It was difficult to walk pass Relena who had this indefinable expression on her face. She was beyond bewilderment. How was I to know she didn't intend kiss me? She had this look on her face and her pale fingers were on my flustering cheeks.
She was leaning down and so I took the hint and pulled her towards me, pressing my lips against her. She was not impassive, that I have to note. She responded well too.
She kissed me—mouth moving against mine—and it almost lasted for some more moments. If it weren't for Milliardo or Zechs (or whatever he likes to call himself because he's a psychopath who can't decide what people should call him) coming in on us to 'check' on Relena, we would've had a dandy time together.
I might've actually confessed to her. And she might've accepted me. But no, HE had to come and corrupt the moment.
But did Relena kiss me because she missed Heero so much she hallucinated I was him? Although might I say, I am well off blessed in looks than he. I'd even shaved my brows because Relena said it was 'east meets west'.
I did everything to please her. All right, maybe not everything. But to some degree you can say that.
I comforted her when she needed something. I told her about The Trojan War when she couldn't sleep at nights and called for me to come over.
I love wars. Relena's always so, 'Peace on earth and goodwill to men.' I suppose opposites attract.
Rubbish.
I had murmured a goodbye to them both and set off for Treize.
He's the only relative I had left who would actually listen to me for a change. Actually, he was the only one who listened to me.
Nobody around here really cared for me much.
I was different, the black sheep of the family. I had been sent to different exclusive girls school in and out of the country along with Relena but I had to be transferred every two months because no school would accommodate me.
I wasn't stupid, if anything, Relena was but my constant rule breaking and beliefs in war caused me to undergo 'counseling' countless times.
I don't stereotype. I don't like those who do, say Relena perchance but she's different… all right when she lets her guard down. She was MY girl. Till that Yuy came along and took her away. He didn't love her.
I did.
I was the one who taught her how to paint! I taught her Chopin on piano and we visited the countryside together every summer. She was my best friend.
Or rather, that's what she WAS.
Schools rarely accepted those who had problems. They said I had issues. Depression and so forth—that that's where my beliefs in life were bred.
I'm not depressed. It's just all anger. And pain. People don't see my torment. My parents are dead. I've been living off their money. I was my relatives' obligation, their job.
So I was sent here.
I didn't care anymore.
I hardly had the time to care.
When I'd come to this town, people regarded me as a bad seed. Simpleton and their prejudiced ways.
The public high school was the only one that accepted me fully. As long as you had the cash, everything was settled and my family background helped a lot too.
It's not as if I couldn't afford to go to some Scholastican[1] girls' school. I just did not want to. Hypocrisy was too much.
As a child I'd always been different from the other children. I was one who didn't wait around for things to happen—I was one who made things happen. It was better that way.
I had the power, so why not abuse it?
My family always perceived me as a little odd. There's no use trying to deny the fact that I am. I'm lesbian. And that's just my sexuality.
I didn't like playing with porcelain dolls or girls' toys, not that I'd been playing with boys' toys but I'd always admired guns.
I liked to shoot things, fence like my cousin Treize who was like a brother to me now.
That's why I'm going over to Chang's place. I needed to speak to somebody who had (almost) the same mentality as I.
It was raining cats and dogs and I cursed myself for not just stopping at *home* instead of Treize's lover's house which was a street further.
I stepped out of the car and my boots met puddles as I ran my way to the house.
I needed advice. Treize was always good with that.
I knocked at the door frantically, hoping they weren't doing anything that would cause them to be unaware of the racket I was making. Shortly and thankfully enough, the door opened and Treize answered it.
He had lots of scratches on his face, disappearing into the grey loose shirt that showed his clavicle.
He gave me an amused smirk—surveying my wet sight at the front porch before letting me in. He looked so casual.
"Where's Chang?" Was the first thing I said as I shivered and crossed the room.
Treize shut the door behind him and smiled at me.
"Hello Dorothy. It's so nice to see you."
"You saw me yesterday." I said through barred teeth. "Look, I just came here… to ask you something… rather tell you something that occurred earlier. I—"
"Kissed Relena?" I blinked at him and wrung my hands together.
"How did you—" He raised his arms to silence me.
"Do you want some hot chocolate to cool your nerves some?" He offered. "And a towel to go with it? Dearest, you're a bundle of shivers."
I nodded before glaring at nothing in particular as he disappeared into the hallway for a moment. I glanced around and noticed Treize's college books on the couch.
I wondered what he possibly wanted with Chang. He's told me he intended to live with him fully. I can't grasp why he favors *him* more than the family name.
I know who won't. (Relena) To lose the luxury for normal society with a… Chinese boy several years younger? Surely, he knew better.
There was talk in the family Treize was going to be shunned from aristocracy if he didn't stop his relationship with Chang.
Treize told me he doesn't care.
Why was he doing that?
Better yet why are family so unreasonable and difficult?
Treize was of age now and he graduates in a few weeks or so. He's been a great noble person, not just a hypocrite, spoiled brat like Relena was and forever will be.
It's a shame not to see him around reunions and such, then again I know for a reason Treize will manage to be back on top again.
He'll make a superb writer or a lawyer—a superb anything.
Treize appeared with a towel I used to dry myself my hair with. He sat next to me and placed two mugs on the center table filled with hot chocolate.
I could smell Treize's scent—a very masculine perfume. He hasn't lost his taste, I suppose. He was wearing a velvet robe now.
Chang didn't like me very much. He doesn't seem to like anyone but Treize actually. He was anti-social at school.
"Did you shave your eyebrows?"
I shot him a withering look. "Yes." Always stating the obvious.
His lips twisted into a wry smile. "You kissed her." He was mocking me.
"How did you know?" I stopped shivering abruptly.
"You can be very predictable at times, dearest." He leaned against the couch casually. "I can read through your facial expression, you know. It's so much like you to do something like that, dearest Dorothy."
"Stop calling me that." It made me feel like a child again. I dried my hair to occupy my hands, unable to meet his eyes.
"What?" He folded his arms together and pulled his velvet robes tighter around him. "Dorothy's your Christian name now isn't it? Weren't you christened with that name?"
"Don't give me this rubbish Treize." I warned him dourly. "Tell me how you found out."
"Zechs called."
"Milliardo." I reminded him. "His alter ego? Am I right?"
Treize didn't answer.
I wrapped the towel around me and basked in the warmth it offered.
Treize handed me a pink mug, which I enclosed in my shaking hands. The color reminded me of Relena. Pink. Barbie.
"It makes him feel better to have nom de plumes." He chuckled.
"It's not a nom de plume." I said staunchly. "He's a nut. And so is Relena the facsimile of idiot Barbie."
"I know."
"The Peacecrafts are odd."
"That's not the point. We all have differences. It's unwise to judge the errs of others before looking at yourself first."
We were both silent for a moment before I sipped my hot chocolate and let it sear down my throat. My fingertips were clammy and cold.
I remembered kissing Relena. I was drinking from a pink mug for the love of Pete.
"Do you think she'll still want me as her friend?" I asked vulnerably. I was quivering again and Treize looked sympathetic. I didn't need his pity.
"You're coming to her party tomorrow night, am I right?"
I nodded. "So are you."
His eyes were soft and brown as he regarded me with a brotherly smile.
"She'll be disgusted of me, won't she?"
"Relena is oblivious and ignorant, Dorothy." Treize said softly. "She'll come around eventually. Love is not always painted blind. Who knows maybe for a change, you did something of your benefit."
"What are you implying?" I asked dangerously. "I'm not always like this you know. I don't do rash things. It's because of Yuy… and that Sebastian guy she was seeing recently… Relena's… a bloody… a bloody…. Ugh! Supply me a noun of some sort!"
I let out a frustrated sound, glaring halfheartedly at my pink mug.
"Cretin? Bigot?" He made me smile again and I looked up at him as he patted my head affectionately.
"I think I'll go study elsewhere." I nibbled on my lower lip on a blonde strand that caught between my lips. "I need to get away from this damned town."
Treize shook his head. "You can't possibly achieve anything by running away." He gave me an odd look. "It's cowardice. A man—or a woman— never runs away from the battlefield, Dorothy."
He didn't give me any advice whatsoever (did that count?) but it felt good letting out all the repressed emotion inside.
After an hour, Chang sleepily appeared into the hallway and glared at me for the reason that I'd unwittingly broke the pink mug in a previous fit, he hearing all the commotion going on.
He told me it was going to cost me. I told him I'd pay up.
After Treize and his disappearing for half an hour and my staring at the empty mug Treize had drunken from in my hands, Treize returned. I placed it back on the table.
I asked him why he was willing to give up the family inheritance for Chang.
He said it was because he loved Chang.
I wish Relena could do the same for me. If only she wanted me instead of Heero.
If only she wasn't planning on tearing Duo and Heero apart. If only I was still invited (I supposed I'm not) to the party.
In any way, it wasn't as if Relena had the power to cause any real damage. The farthest she could get in getting Duo and Heero to split up, is spiking the pink punch and getting Heero drunk enough to sleep with her or blackmailing them both.
She always told me she had dreams of them making love with a pink condom.
She was a pacifist. Can't blame her.
She had odd taste in…things.
So did I.
I wanted her.
[Duo]
My dad will kill me if he finds out. No, really he would. He would! Argh!! His homosexual fornicatin' son!
And now we'll all be damned to hell and below. Great. Peachy. Brilliant, Duo.
But I can't deny the fact that I enjoyed the sex, realizing why on earth people were so damned addicted to it. I can't deny the guilt putting me down too.
I wondered about my mother and what she could be doing. I didn't mean to yell at her for I've never had, save one occasion when I was six.
I had broken a blue crayon from the new box set of Crayola™, complete with all those nonexistent colors people just made up in lieu of achieving the number of crayons in the box.
She'd brought me as a present for my being a good (gag) son and I didn't want her to find out I'd spoilt my present so I said St. Peter was the culprit who cut it in half.
The dog did—in a roundabout way. Des as still a puppy and I was trying to scale a drawing of him on the carpet when he lifted his head up and trotted to the kitchen, thus me breaking the blue crayon in frustration and surprise.
Ma didn't believe me of course. I mean, who would? Between a braided six-year-old boy in jumpers and a half-year-old puppy with large brown eyes a cute little tail, the last one's more believable, not that it could talk though.
Eventually I 'fessed up and my mom 'scolded' me albeit for my untruthfulness. Hang on, I think my dad did.
Well… all that is past now. I don't really care. But the point is, I feel guilty for leaving the car, my mom.
My dad? Nah.
He could go and be blown up in a sabotaged plane set to ruin buildings in Bali for all I care.
I was glad that Heero said he'd loved me. That was what I was waiting for anyway. On the brighter side of things, I am now officially the Sex God's boyfriend! It has a good ring to it, really.
(Does that mean I'm a sex god too? I have to ask Quat about this issue tomorrow.)
Even if he didn't tell me he loved me though, I wouldn't care less. It doesn't change the fact that I'm in love with him. And I'd do anything to keep him. I couldn't bear to lose him again.
I lost him once, shame on me. To tell you the truth, I think my dad told him not to make his nightly visits (when I'd still been six) anymore. Then all of a sudden, we stopped… playing altogether as his visits dwindled and we got older.
My dad's a fucking homophobe, you know?
I didn't want to leave Darlington. I don't intend to. My dad can though—if he likes.
It's ironic that I'd always wanted to leave this ditch—but now Heero's holding me back. I won't be my father's lap dog anymore. I'm breaking off the fetters.
It's funny though. Things are moving really fast. I mean, come on, I'd been daydreaming about *this* thing to happen. (By the way the crotch incident will not be mentioned again because… er… Heero's done more than… er… rest his hand on it…).
And now it has.
I was with Heero. And I felt cooler than ever. He accepted me, jumpers, braid and all. How wonderful is that? I am the man!
I couldn't sleep that night because I wasn't usually accustomed to sleeping in foreign beds (with oh-so-sexy- Japanese dudes) so I crept off the bed, kissed Heero on the forehead and went to the living room. (He was still asleep mind you, so I didn't bother to wake him).
I had to admit, I was kind of hungry. The guy gave me a fricking carrot to chew on while he had his black coffee. He wasn't very much a junk-food kind of person, that I could tell from raiding his fridge. He didn't eat much either. Or maybe I just eat too much? *sulk*
Anyway…
It was all so neat and stacked! His fridge! It was like the frigging library, with books arranged alphabetically and by genre.
(Of course, there weren't any books in his fridge, it's just a comparison)
There were cartons of milk, a pitcher of water, bottles of Snapple ™, leftover pasta with shrimp (I thought of heating it but the shrimp won't come off the noodles anymore), a tall plastic glass of mocha frap from Starbucks (the guy loves caffeine) and a few biscuits and crackers.
I frowned.
Figuring I couldn't get a decent night snack of some sort, I shut the fridge and decided to do something else. Maybe I should loose the extra weight. Ha, as if I had any anyway.
I walked into the recreational area and no you little pervs, that's not where the magic happens. (As if Heero and I could recreate anyway). Recreation as in recreation—sound system all that. Think, Cribs!
Heero's house was really huge. Ahem. No pun intended there of course, and it made it suck to be poor (poor ones like me).
I wasn't really poor the hobo-type but you know, we were middle class people and my parents didn't exactly provide me the right type of garments deemed appropriate so that I could mingle in society. I just liked to call myself poor because it seemed that way.
I looked through some CD's, some of which had Japanese text on them. It also had Heero's mother's name (in English) on some. The funny thing I noticed, Heero wasn't a picture person. (Like my parents for instance.) There were no picture frames or pictures in his house. Zilch. Nadda.
We practically have dozens of pictures lining the walls—from the day of my birth to last summer. My youth was documented, step-by-step. Even the suicidal goldfish had a place on the wall.
Still, it kind of made me feel special. My dad can really be a nazi one minute, and then baby Jesus the next. He was kind and gentle—merciful as they'd like to say. Also, he does a good impersonation of Elvis with a horrible cold, which might I say, embarrasses me.
Anyway, I was searching for a decent CD and I'd finally gotten one. I played it on the CD player.
It was the soundtrack CD of the movie 'The Wedding Singer'. It was the track called 'I Wanna Grow Old With You.'
It had funny lyrics and I amused myself by playing it several times till I finally memorized the lines. I was lying on my side on the couch when Heero appeared in my range of vision.
He was topless from the waist up and clad only in his pajama bottoms. I winked at him and gave him space on the couch so that he was lying there with me on top of him.
My arms were draped over his waist and his were on my back. I was murmuring into his collarbone when he told me I was drooling on him. I rolled my eyes and kicked him in the shin.
I was singing Heero the song and he was chuckling—his chest heaving upwards and startling my dormant head.
"I wanna make you smile,
Whenever you're sad.
Carry you around
When your arthritis is bad.
All I wanna do
Is grow old with you.."
We fell asleep to the song and I dreamt that Heero was trying to kiss me. I told him not to and he said he wouldn't.
He lied.
***
I wanted to call my mom the next day but just decided to drop the whole idea when I planned to make breakfast instead. I'm not exactly the cooking kind of guy but it I wanted to, I could try. (Hey that rhymes!)
I wanted to surprise Heero. He's been very generous and kind and affectionate towards me and I didn't want to just take and take. That's what parasites like Relena do. I, being the official resident boyfriend, would have to make him happy for once.
He's given me Hee-chan and the ring already, so I had to do something.
So there I was in the kitchen, equipped with all the necessary cooking materials, apron and all, my hair in unruly angles, basking in the heinous glory of burnt toast and broken eggshells, muttering colorful obscenities below my breath.
Clearly, I didn't know how to cook.
Peachy, isn't it?
Heero had cabled television though, so I left the kitchen while I waited for the sausages to cook themselves.
I raced to the living room and dove for the couch to flip through the channels on the TV.
"I was used? I was used! Cool!" American Pie—seen it.
"Having a kid is great as long as his eyes are closed and he doesn't move."—Big Daddy… Not in the mood.
"Are you in special Ed class?" Ooh, Never Been Kissed.
I narrowed my eyes seriously and concentrated on the movie. The girl and the boy were about to kiss when—
Smoke reached my nostrils.
I could smell something wafting in the air and no, it wasn't me. Heero's breakfast!
I rushed into the kitchen and was greeted by a cloud of smoke hanging in the air. I was coughing and staggered my way in there, fanning my face because I couldn't breathe properly.
(Can't even leave the kitchen for one minute without making a mess…)
Eventually, I turned off the stove as the smoke dispersed enough for me to see sausages—Frankfurt's?—on the pan. They shrunk and looked like small chunks of coals.
"Duo?"
I wheeled around and flustered as Heero stood in the doorway. He had smelled the smoke from upstairs apparently.
"So, what are you having for breakfast, sausage, toast or me?"
Heero blinked and rubbed at his eyes. "What on earth happened here?"
"Um, I guess you should have the last option since neither two are viable."
***
I am fat.
Heero handed me the leather pants and it couldn't fit. It was two sizes too small.
I was in the bathroom trying it on and even if I sucked my stomach in it wouldn't fit.
The flipping zipper won't work with me!
I think my hips are wide. My legs are big. Maybe if I had liposuction?
Well, either that or my boyfriend didn't know how to shop properly.
Heero was knocking on the door quietly. "Can I come in?"
"Uhm… no, give me a minute… to… look at myself in the mirror?"
"Okay. Hurry all right?"
"Yeah."
I tried hopping off the pair of tight leather pants and in my haste, stumbled and cursed.
And then I heard a cracking sound. Like fabric tearing and buttons popping. My eyes were wide as ping-pong balls as I looked into the mirror.
Shit.
I sat down on the tub railing, pulling (at leas TRYING to) off the pant leg when Heero knocked again.
"Duo, are you all right in there?"
"Uhh… Yeah. I'm fine. Just… admiring myself in the mirror."
"Well share a little. I want to see how you look."
"Give me another minute."
"Does it fit?"
"It's… PERFECT." Perfectly torn, I added below breath as I slipped it off completely. Great, what will Heero think of me now? I might as well be dethroned from my Sex God-ship.
I tossed the pants away and sat in a huddled corner, cradling my face in my hand. Now I understood why my mother bought me jumpers… I was fat! Fat! Faaaat!
"Duo?"
My head snapped up and I swallowed the knot in my throat as I stared at the closed door.
"You're not fat. Let me see you." Heero's voice behind the door.
I must've voiced my thoughts out loud. I might as well raise sheep in a farm and wear jumpers till my funeral day. Maybe the 'cool crowd' wasn't for me.
"I… kind of… broke it?" I said trembling, remembering the blue crayon incident.
There was silence at the other end of the door before Heero's voice came on again, soft and tone, indecipherable.
"We'll get a new one. For the party."
"Why are you so intent on bringing me to your Ex's party anyway?" I blurted out irritably. "You're not planning to do anything to embarrass me, are you?"
"No… of course not. Let me in now, Duo."
"Ahh… the voice of authority speaks." I rolled my eyes and huffed.
"Don't argue with me, I own this house."
"You're not the boss of me."
"As your… boyfriend then?"
"Hm. You know this isn't my shining moment and I'd like t be left alone to woe in the personal misery of obesity."
"You're not fat."
"Yes I am."
"You're not."
"I know I'm not." I sighed and pulled my bare knees to my chest. I was sitting on the tiled floor in my underwear… rather Heero's. It was cold. "It's just that… My body's not quite made to wear leather pants or anything that doesn't have jumper straps on them. It's… God… hard to explain why…"
"You'll be beautiful in anything, Duo."
"Well, that's a comforting thought." I retorted wittily. "I'm beautiful… in anything! Maybe I could throw on a garbage bag to the party and hiking boots to go with it! I have a lanky body, Heero. Let's leave it at that."
"I didn't say that."
"You don't say a lot of things."
"My social skills are inept."
"Are you implying I talk too much?" I narrowed my eyes at the door, hoping Heero could see me glare. "Tell me you love me." My voice dropped into a falsetto.
"Fine… I love you. Now get out of the bathroom." He sure knew how to ruin the vibe, didn't he?
"Say it with feeling." I frowned stubbornly at the door. Great now I'm a psychopath taking all the repressed tension on an inanimate object. "Like you mean it."
"I do mean it."
"You say it like it's the most obvious thing in the world."
"It is."
I sighed and walked to the door, opening it slowly so that if ever Heero decided to murder me for wasting that probably expensive pair of leather pants, I could be ready.
Instead of the maniacal, predatory gaze I was expecting, a small smile tingled on Heero's lips.
"Are you making fun of me?"
"No." He was smiling… rather bizarrely.
"I don't find anything amusing, Yuy." I poked at his chest.
"I do." He wrapped his arms around my naked waist and pulled me close. My skin flushed and sparks of clichéd electricity coursed through my spine.
"What is it?" I pushed him away before he could kiss me. I held him by the shoulders and pounced so that he was pinned beneath me.
I felt foolish in Heero's underwear, with the owner of the only strip of coverage for my privates struggling underneath my weight.
"Get… off…" Heero wheezed. He still had that silly smile on his face.
"Damn it!" I whined. "Come on, spill the beans! What on earth is so flipping amusing Yuy? I won't get off till you tell me!"
"…What a wonderful way to die."
"Damn it… you think I'm fat don't you?"
"Hn."
"You do!!" I shrieked playfully. "Damn… have to let loose on those carrots."
Heero was shaking his head beneath me as he pulled my arms down towards him.
"I remember how you always loved to tease me as kid." I told him. Hey, I had selective memory. "And you called me a sissy and I kicked you and you punched me but then we still kept playing together anyway before my dad found out and told you to stop coming over because he resented your father from high school and said you were his spitting image and would only harm me—"
"Duo."
"Hm?"
"Shut up."
"Make me."
***
"Have you ever been in a mall?"
"Does it look like I have?"
"Is that supposedly a trick question?" I shot Heero a look that could kill (hey I learned from the best) to shut him up.
We were in his car heading to Boston, which was thirty minutes away. We were shopping because I'd torn the pants I was SUPPOSED to wear to Relena's party.
Heero says it's not real leather anyway, that the company that manufactured it was a cheap one. That confirms it. He's trying to comfort me, the shithead liar. I have a big ass and he knows it… he just didn't like to admit to my face.
"Hey, I've been to a mall… when I was eleven! I shopped for new… shoes!" I defended myself.
"That was a warehouse department store." I couldn't find any humor in this conversation anymore.
"How'd you know?"
"That was the store that sold shoes in bulk discounts, back in Darlington." Heero explained. "They fetched good prices a few years ago until they went out of business last year because of a some sort of scandal."
"So… kind of you to enlighten me on Darlington Shoe History Yoda." I retorted.
"It's a pleasure."
"Hmph." I pouted and folded my arms, trying to concentrate on the music from the radio. They were playing a song called, 'Jumper' from Third Eye Blind.
"Don't try to look too cute." Heero murmured, eyes on the road after dodging me a brief glance. "It might lead you somewhere."
I flushed and stared blankly at the road ahead of us, trying to look pensive. Instead I'd looked constipated—I saw myself in the rearview mirror.
"Hey, what's the dress code for Relena's party anyway?"
"Casual attire."
"Really? How'd you know?"
"Saturdays mean casualty."
"Mondays?"
"Charity Balls; black tie event."
"Thursdays?"
Heero glared at me. I rolled my eyes and shrugged.
"Hey, I'm curious!" I raised my arms in defence.
"Curiosity killed the cat."
"Thanks so much for that consolation, Heero." I snorted sardonically.
***
We were in a mall. And I couldn't help but feel a light flutter in my heart. We were in a mall! In Boston! Away from Darlington—which meant I could defy the rules now.
No dad, no horny pets, no politicians, no French people with bangs covering half of their face and no blonde best friends who get more than you do.
I think I'm in wonderland.
I feel like Lestat being allowed absolution into the gates of Heaven.
I was wearing the jumper from last night after Heero hung it to dry in the shower. I think my braid had been on too tight because I was feeling a little bit hyper.
People stared at us but I hardly had the time to care. I dragged Heero (who had his usual even face without any trace of emotion) to all the stores to revel at all the cool clothes displayed at the window.
There were numerous boutiques and shops scattered all around the vicinity, with posh restaurants and fast food joints to serve the middle class, like Subway, McDonald's, etc...
"Don't attract too much attention to yourself." Heero told me and I just ignored him and pulled him into a store.
It had racks of pants and shirts for boys our age. The guy with the eccentric outfit and fake tattoos on his bicep approached us and smiled.
He especially had this pervy grin as he reached out and tucked my jumper strap onto my shoulder, patting it.
I shuddered.
Heero glowered at the guy and pulled me closer to his side. (Ooh. I love possessive guys, do you?)
"The strap[2] was falling and not in place." The guy told us.
His copper red hair was gelled up into spikes and he had piercings on his eyebrows and lips. He looked extremely cool. He was about twenty plus.
"I want one of those." I whispered to Heero who gave me a deadpan look.
"We can't buy him." He muttered darkly. He was a touch angry at me for looking at the guy.(Hey, I wasn't interested! I'm a loyal boyfriend!)
I frowned. "Don't be silly Heero. I meant the tattoos."
"…"
"Can I have some?"
"No."
"I'm begging!"
"No."
"Even the fake ones? Pwease?" I gave him the cutesy-eyed look. Heero only narrowed his eyes.
"No."
"Piercings then?"
"No."
"Aww, Heero. You're no fun." I sulked and withdrew my arm from his to fold across my chest.
"Uhhh… Welcome to our store, sirs." The guy smiled this cheeky smile that showed his teeth. "Is there anything I can help you with?"
"We're fine." Heero was glaring™ again and I had to whack him on the head to quit it. Honestly, I can't even be around other people anymore without him suspecting me.
Heero rubbed his head as we walked to the clothing rack. He was cursing and saying things like 'baka, kuso, baka,' in different tones and alterations.
I was just shaking my head and scanning the line of pants.
I was going to the party. My first party. And I'm going to be with Heero. Nothing could be more perfect. And nothing could spoil my fun.
Nothing.
Tbc…
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Lizzard I really appreciate it that you reviewed I'd like to say that Teach Me How To Be Cool was written supposedly as an original story.
I didn't copy ideas from one particular book and posted it here, although I had been borrowing a sum of quotes from different books. You can relate to this fic?
It's seems as a lot can.
I tweaked some parts to turn it into a '1x2, 3x4' story and the rest is kind of based on the lives of my friends and mine. Actually more like mine than theirs.
I didn't write it to challenge the religious. I want my fic to be funny and not blasphemous in any frame. I thought the Reverend was funny. That's all.
If you're wondering what my religion is then I am a protestant.
Although I'm not knowledgeable about my own religion for I'd been sent to different Catholic Schools all my life, preferably exclusive ones (and I'm not bragging) and can recite the mysteries than bible verses, I know a little of the backdrop of both religions.
My father didn't like how I'd changed from the choir singing little girl into the I'll-let-your-imagination-wander-thing I am now.
I am not allowed to listen to rock music because my dad is VERY religious but since he's at work most of the time I find it that I listen to rock music when he's away.
Actually, I love rock music more than pop.
I guess if ever either of my folks find out I write slash (or read the lemons I posted elsewhere) they'll think I'm some kind of Satanist or pornographer and stone me to death or maybe burn me like how the townspeople of Salem burnt witches in the 16th century.
My parents had had a lot of expectations. (They still do) I was the first child and showed some potential in some areas. They –forced- me to take piano lessons since I was 7 and tailored me to become the perfect daughter who made the honor roll, smiled at everyone and be a goody two shoes, etc.. etc…
I kind of got fed up when they took me out of the exclusive school and brought me to a Co-ed one to co exist with boys. 'Said I had too much social life and learned rubbish. They made me leave so that I could be more… feminine. Not that I'm boyish… I just didn't give a damn about sexuality anymore.
My dad hates rock music and favors my younger sister instead of me. Thus, the Reverend. While my mother doesn't really care. It's a bit of everyone's life.
The point my readers is, you don't have to stereotype to fit in. Don't be slaves to style. Wow, now I sound like a preacher!
Maria, er… thanks for sharing to me that little bit of your life… trust me, you're not the only one.
(I guess it's safe to give you *guys* a little background of my life because nobody really knows me anyway and anonymity can give you a sense of liberation and make you do things you normally wouldn't do in real life.)
So much for that.
++++++++++++++++++++
Thanks A Load And Buckets(?) Of Smoochies To:
Owen From McDonald's: 143 dude. Thanks for the fries.
Bea: Even if you don't read this…. Well… thanks for being a friend. (?)
Sara: 143 bessie.
LJ: Thank you for the gw info. You're the greatest.
Lin-z, Lizzard,Ryokoonee,Werekitten (I know about Boy Meets Boy but I haven't really read it yet but I'll try later),Kinoshi,An3maePhreek (I didn't forget—I had been offline lately. Love your fics!!),Link Worshiper,Duos-fangurl-2002,WhiteWolfSearching (love your MPREG ficcies!! More!!! Give me more!!!!!),LeafZelindor, Maria Wong, Violet Yuymaxwell , romi, LadyDragonWolfKnight, Jersie, Shinigami, Nananashi-silence, LB, SwomeSwan, Darla Moscete-te ,darkarc & Maria.
Any one I forgot, sorry!
I am twit.
[1] Scholastican—my previous school was called St. Scholastica's College. And before I get into the history of St. Benedict and all those dead monks, I'd like to say it's a girls' school. Yes, the one run by nuns. Thus my email 'S-S-C' 4ever. I kind of used it as an adjective in this fic.
[2] My Social Studies teacher did that once. *lol* I was about to do my extemporaneous speech and I was by the door of the faculty room to ask her about a particular political issue and then as she listened to my question she kind of reached out to fix my *bra* strap from the fabric of my uniform. She didn't reach into my uniform, she just adjusted it outside of the uniform. I was like, 'er… can I go now?'. God, my school's so… queer… I haven't told that to anyone—I just had to let it out.
Also, I need a beta reader. Since I am a lazy sod who doesn't have time to read her own work, I need someone who'll check for errors and so forth. Please email or send me a message in my AIM or YM located in my bio page if you'd like to beta read.
Hey, besides being immersed in rough, flawed fiction, you get to read the chapter ahead of everyone else! So email me, 'kay?
Poll:
I need to ask you guys what title you'd like for the next chapter:
a.) Malt Liquor Tastes Better When You've Got Problems
b.) You Just Do Not Kick Sex Gods In The Balls Or,
c.) You're A Fucking Dipshit Heero! I Hate You!
The next chapter will cover Relena's party. I had to separate events to match with the chapter title.
Please Review And Vote! ^^V
Thank You.